They say that history is an incorruptible judge that in the long run gives its decision for both. 54 years after the coup that evicted him from power, the figure of Arturo Illia It gains more and more prestige and recognition.
Although honesty is one of its political capitals, when it should be normal among public men, it is fair to recognize that Arturo Illia was also an efficient and visionary ruler.
In 1964, given the difficulties in placing an exceptional wheat crop on international markets, Illia made the decision to sell several million tons to Popular China, still governed by Mao Tse Toss, and when the country was not even part of the United Nations (UN). Argentina thus became the first western country to trade with China, and open a market that today is coveted by the entire world. Just six years later, US President Richard Nixon was traveling to China for the same purpose.
With statesman’s vision, Illia considered that the future was in Asia. Without having diplomatic relations with China, the sale operation was carried out without leaving the Government House. There were no bombastic delegations or trade missions. For this, the Argentine president had the help of Josué de Castro, founder of the Nutrition Institute of the University of Brazil, and elected in 1952 president of the Executive Council of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) . Furthermore, the Brazilian manager was one of Mao’s advisers to the Agrarian Reform and had lived in China for several years.